In search of something special

Softball head coach Amy Hayes and her staff have been hammering a simple message home with their players: Make 2008 a special season.

Special, as in 2006 special, when the team went 38-20 on its way to winning the Pacific Coast Softball Conference title and earning a spot at the NCAA Regional Tournament in Corvallis in Hayes’ first year at the helm.

The team stumbled to 23-24 a year ago but appears ready to make another serious run with a reloaded roster.

“I think what was missing last year was a sense of responsibility, pride, trust. Sometimes it’s not the right mix. Stuff just doesn’t happen. When we came in and won the conference two years ago, that just didn’t happen,” Hayes said. “I think it’s important we don’t forget that.”

One player that will not forget what it takes to get to the top is senior pitcher and slugger extraordinaire Mandy Hill. Hill has been the team’s rock for the past two seasons. She holds school records with 27 career home runs, including 12 in 2006 for the single-season record, and 103 career RBIs.

Hill also dominates in the pitcher’s circle, going 44-26 with 375 strikeouts over the last two years.

“I’d love to get a ring. I’d love to go out with a bang and be successful. I don’t want to leave anything on the field. I just want to go out and give it all I can,” Hill said. “I’m going to have to pitch strong all year long. I’m going to have to hit and get RBIs. I’m going to continue to be a leader on the field and off the field as well.”

Hayes said the key for Hill is to not put too much pressure on herself, have fun and let her natural ability take over.

“She is such a different person on the field. You have to take on this kind of superhero ‘I can destroy anything’ mentality,” Hayes said. “I want Mandy to have a really successful year, for her to go out of here feeling good about it.”

Last year, thin pitching depth forced Hill to throw 283.2 innings–another single-season school record. The addition of freshman Nicole Latham and the continued development of junior Jessi Even–possibly the team’s hardest thrower-should reduce Hill’s workload.

“We definitely have a lot more depth this year. I have a lot of confidence in the girls on staff with me,” Hill said.

Even with the revamped staff, Hayes said she still sees room for improvement.

“I think we need to find a way to get rid of the back-to-back plays, back-to-back walks or a walk and a hit, and be a little more dominant on the mound. It’s tough,” Hayes said.

Offensively, Hayes said her team possesses plenty of power, especially through the heart of the order. Catcher Brandi Scoggins is beginning to find her swing, and juniors Jenna Wilson and Jackie Heide are both big hitters.

There are still a couple of holes to fill. Third base and left field will be platooned until a starter emerges, hopefully by the season’s fourth tournament, Hayes said.

“I think we’re so deep that we may see some positions that truly rotate for the rest of the season,” she said. “Kristin Wilson can play just about anywhere. Getting her in the lineup is huge for us. I’ve got three of four kids who are willing to go anywhere we need them to go.”

Hayes said that winning a conference title is an attainable goal, despite the team’s 2-3 start after last weekend’s Cathedral City Kickoff Classic.

“I think we can be right where we want to be at the end of the year,” she said. “If we take care of business and we control what we can control and get some good pitching performances, I think we’ll be there.”

X-Factor

Without a doubt, the biggest X-factor heading into the season is the power the Vikings possess through the heart of their order. And it is not just Mandy Hill, Portland State’s career leader in homers, who carries a thunder stick on this roster.

Junior center fielder Jackie Heide should have a big year with good power numbers, said head coach Amy Hayes. Heide has 15 career home runs and 66 RBIs over the last two years.

Another slugger is Kristin Wilson, who played for Walla Walla Community College in 2007. Last season, she batted .474 with 15 homers, 25 doubles and 71 RBIs.

In addition to Heide and Wilson, Jenna Wilson has good raw power. She hit .413 with 10 homers last year for Mount Hood Community College.

“She’s a lefty and a big swinger,” Hayes said. “It is a really strong lineup three through nine.”

And do not be surprised if this powerful team is faster than you might think.

“We might not be the fastest team on the field, but we all run well,” Hayes said. “We do run out some in-field hits.”